If I go to AutoZone, I typically know exactly what I'm going to be purchasing. This time wasn't so different. I grabbed the auto detailing products I needed and walked up to the counter, ready to check out.
The problem is, not many consumers are quite so efficient or informed on what a retailer may carry or what it is that they might need/be looking for
When I arrived to the location (first time here), I chuckled at the not-so-intuitive out/in signs that they have on all their doors. There was an older hispanic man walking in, having an issue deciphering those signs and I helped him pick the right door- trivial, right?
Well, as I mentioned above, I walked to get in line to check out and this gentleman was now at the counter with one of the employees. The clerk that was assisting him, repeated his question in a very are-you-seriously-asking-that manner, "Rat poison? Do we sell rat poison?" Essentially laughing under his breath directly in front of the older gentleman. Another clerk (female) took the same approach, as if she were shocked that somebody could be asking such an /audacious/ question.
The older gentleman then began to feel/look dejected and ridiculed. He lowered his head and walked away, saying, in spanish "I'm sorry, I was just asking a question."
Nobody batted an eyelash, not the clerks or the other customers in line.
Now, I'm not one to tell somebody how to do their job, but with 7+ years of retail and retail-management experience, there is a way to answer questions, even those that you may find as naive or trivial and these employees handled the situation in a very juvenile manner.
This gentleman will likely go back to this location and buy things, probably because he seemed to be a humble and forgiving human being. I, however, am not so forgiving. read more